Spreading laryngoscope

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a spreading laryngoscope with two spatulas able to be moved apart, wherein on at least on of the two spatulas on each longitudinal side there is formed in each case one projecting tab which, proceeding from the longitudinal side of the one spatula, extends to the other spatula and is rigidly connoted to the spatula.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a spreading laryngoscope.

[0002] There are known spreadable laryngoscopes which comprise two spatulas parallel to one another which delimit a working space through which instruments may be introduced in order to carry out an operation. Such a laryngoscope is for example known from DE 199 54 442. This laryngoscope comprises two spatulas which are connected to a grip part. On the grip part there is provided an adjusting mechanism via which the two spatulas may be spread. At the same time the spatulas are adjusted parallel or angularly so that they are further distanced to one another in order to create a larger working space. At the same time lateral gaps arise between the two longitudinal sides of the spatulas. According to DE 199 54 442 Al movable flaps are arranged on a spatula in order in the spread condition to close the lateral gap and prevent tissue from penetrating into the gap. The arrangement of the movable flaps has the disadvantage that the field of view to the operator onto the laterally retracted tissue is greatly limited, and additionally the outer dimensions of the laryngoscope are increased on account of the pivotable flaps.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is the object of the invention to create an improved spreading laryngoscope which is designed more compactly and permits an improved protection of soft parts and organs, in particular with operations in the region of the larynx/pharynx and also permits an enlarged field of view to the operator.

[0004] A spreading laryngoscope achieves this object with the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiment forms are to be deduced from the dependent claims.

[0005] The spreading laryngoscope according to the invention comprises two spatulas which may be moved apart, as with known laryngoscopes. The two spatulas are preferably fixed in a common grip part and may be moved apart parallel to one another or at an angle to one another in order to create an enlarged working space between the spatulas. According to the invention on at least one of the two spatulas on each of its longitudinal sides there is in each case provided at least one projecting tab or a projecting projection, which in each case extend from the respective longitudinal side of the one spatula in the direction of the other spatula. At the same time the tabs are rigidly connected to the respective spatula on its longitudinal side. This rigid connection of the tabs permits a more compact design of the laryngoscope than with the use of pivotable flaps. One further achieves a more economical manufacture and a greater durability. The tabs or projections at least partly cover over sections of the lateral gaps which arise when the two spatulas are moved apart. At the same time the tabs cover or bridge the lateral gaps between the spatulas at least partly, in the transverse direction, i.e. essentially normally to the tabs, in order to prevent a penetration of tissue into the space between the spatulas. Preferably the tabs do not extend over the whole length of the spatula but only over short sections in the longitudinal direction of the spatula so that a large region of the lateral tabs between the spatulas is not covered by the tabs, by which means one creates a large field of view to the operator.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment form, on each of the two spatulas in each case on each longitudinal side of the spatula there is formed as least one projecting tab which proceeding from the longitudinal side of the one spatula extends towards the other spatula and is rigidly connected to the spatula. According to this arrangement, the arising gap may be safely protected from penetrating tissue even with a greater distance between the spread spatulas. The arrangement of projections on the two spatulas at the same time, with the use of rigid projections, also permits the bridging or covering of wider gaps between the spatulas in a direction transverse, in particular normal to the longitudinal direction of the spatula.

[0007] Preferably the tabs formed on the two spatulas are arranged lying opposite to one another in a manner such that a tab on a first spatula overlaps with a tab on the second spatula at least in a non-spread condition of the laryngoscope. With this arrangement the two tabs lying opposite one another on the two spatulas form a common closed section which bridges the lateral gap or free space between the two spatulas, in order to prevent a penetration of tissue structures and organ parts. At the same time the two tabs overlapping one another form a web between the two spatulas. By way of the overlapping design one may also bridge a larger gap or free space between the two spatulas. Since the web formed by the tabs extends in the longitudinal direction of the spatula only over a narrow region, the larger part of the spatula preferably remains uncovered by which means a good lateral view is made possible.

[0008] The tabs further preferably extend essentially normally to the main surfaces of the spatula. The main surfaces of the spatula are however the surfaces of the two spatulas extending in the longitudinal direction, i.e. the actual spatula surfaces which lie opposite one another and form the upper and lower side of the laryngoscope. This means the tabs extend essentially parallel to the movement direction of the two spatulas when these are moved apart or towards one another. The tabs overlapping one another at the same time preferably extend parallel to one another so that the inner side of the one tab bears on the outer side of the other tab or extends at a slight distance parallel to this. Thus a closed web is formed which may prevent the penetration of soft material or tissue parts. The arrangement of the tabs parallel to the movement direction of the spatulas permits a large adjustment path of the two spatulas to one another without this path being limited by the arrangement of the tabs.

[0009] On at least one longitudinal side of each of the two spatulas there are formed in each case two tabs which in the non-spread condition of the laryngoscope overlap with two oppositely lying tabs on the respective other spatula. By way of the fact that two tabs are provided on at least one and preferably on each longitudinal side, one may even more reliably prevent a penetration of tissue. Simultaneously the arrangement of two individual tabs in contrast to a larger tab has the advantage that the field of view to the operator is less restricted since the tabs only form narrow webs between the spatulas, the remaining part of the spatula however remains free in order to ensure a sufficient lateral view.

[0010] The two tabs on each side are preferably distanced to one another in the longitudinal direction of the spatula. Thus a free space between the two tabs arises which permits an improved view of tissue lying laterally of the spatula during an operation. Simultaneously the tabs distanced to one another may ensure that soft parts or tissue parts do not penetrate into the gap between the two spatulas.

[0011] It is further preferred for the tabs to be designed such that in each case they overlap with an oppositely lying tab on the respective other spatula also in the spread condition of the laryngoscope. This also means that in each spread position of the two spatulas the oppositely lying tabs overlap such that a continuous closed web is formed between the two spatulas in order to prevent a penetration of tissue parts into the gap between the two spatulas. At the same time the tabs however in the longitudinal direction of the spatulas do not extend over the whole length of the spatulas so that the view to tissue parts lying laterally of the laryngoscope is restricted as little as possible. The laryngoscope may however also alternatively be designed and applied such that the spatulas are distanced or spread further from one another so that the tabs lying opposite one another on both spatulas no longer overlap and a gap arises between the end faces of the tabs. This gap is however considerably narrower than the remaining arising gap between the two spatulas so that also with such an arrangement one may prevent a penetration of tissue structures into the respective lateral gap between the two spatulas. At the same time the lateral view is limited as little as possible.

[0012] Preferably the tabs are designed as one piece with the respective associated spatula. For example the tabs may together with the associated spatula be manufactured of a metal (sheet) plating by way of suitable cutting and non-cutting shaping. This permits an inexpensive manufacture of the laryngoscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Hereinafter the invention is described by example by way of the accompanying figures. In these

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a sectioned lateral view of the laryngoscope according to the invention, in the non-spread condition and

[0015]FIG. 2 a sectioned lateral view of the laryngoscope according to the invention, in the spread condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The laryngoscope according to the invention and according to a preferred embodiment form is firstly explained in the non-spread condition by way of FIG. 1. The laryngoscope as with known spreading laryngoscopes has two spatulas 2 and 4 extending parallel to one another. The spatulas 2 and 4 are connected to one another in a grip region 6 in a manner such that they may be moved apart in the direction X. At the same time the, spatulas 2 and 4 are either moved such that they constantly extend parallel to one another or are pivoted apart about rotation axes in the grip region 6 so that the distal ends of the spatulas 2 and 4, i.e. the ends opposed to the grip region, are distanced further to one another in the direction X. The two spatulas 2 and 4 in each case have an essentially U-shaped cross section, and together enclose a working space or working channel 8 through which one may introduce auxiliary instruments for an operation. If the two spatulas 2 and 4 are moved apart in the direction X, the working channel 8 is enlarged accordingly in order to create a larger working space for an operation.

[0017] According to the invention, in each case two tabs, 10, 12 are formed on each longitudinal side of each spatula 2, 4. At the same time the tabs 10, proceeding from the spatula, extend beyond the middle plane M in the direction of the spatula 2. The tabs 12, proceeding from the spatula 2, extend beyond the middle plane in the direction of spatula 4. The tabs 10 and the tabs 12 (shown dashed) in each case are distanced to one another in the longitudinal direction of the spatula 2, 4, i.e. in a direction parallel to the middle plane M and normal to the direction X, so that a free space 14 remains between the projections or tabs 10, 12, which improves the view to laterally lying tissue parts. The tabs in the longitudinal direction of the spatula are arranged essentially in the middle region of the spatulas so that the gaps are also not covered distally or proximally of the tabs, and they permit a good view to lateral tissue parts.

[0018] The tabs 10 and 12 extend in planes lying parallel to one another and overlap one another. At the same time the tabs 10, 12 extend preferably essentially parallel to the direction X, so that the tabs 10 bear on the outer sides of the tabs 12 or extend at a slight distance parallel to these if the two spatulas 2 and 4 are moved apart (see FIG. 2). The tabs 10 and 12 in the direction X preferably in each case comprise such lengths that also in the condition in which the spatulas 2 and 4 are moved apart the furthest the gap 9 formed between the spatulas 2 and 4 is completely covered or bridged in the X-direction by the tabs 10 and 12. In this manner two continuously closed webs between the spatulas 2 and 4 are formed by the tabs 10 and 12, even when these spatulas are located in the position furthest apart from one another, so that a penetration of soft parts or other tissue parts through the lateral gap into the working space 8 may be prevented. The tabs 10, 12 are in each case preferably formed as one piece with the side walling of the spatula 2 and 4. In the direction of the respective other spatula they form projecting extensions of the side parts of the spatulas 2 and 4. In this manner the spatulas 2 and 4 together with the respective projections 10 and 12 may be manufactured easily as one piece from a (sheet) plating blank by way on non-cutting shaping. Furthermore as a whole a more compact design of the laryngoscope is made possible.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the laryngoscope according to FIG. 1 in the spread condition, in which the two spatulas 2 and 4 lie further distanced to one another so that gaps 9 extending along the two longitudinal sides of the laryngoscope arise or increase. Also in this spread condition the tabs 10 and 12 still overlap in the region of their outer ends so that the gaps are completely bridged in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis or to the middle plane M, in order to prevent a penetration of tissue parts. The gap 9 remains free or the free space 14 remains free laterally and between the tabs 10 and 12, so that a good lateral view remains ensured. If the two spatulas 2 and 4 are spread further, the tabs 10 and 12 beyond a certain spreading no longer overlap, but however continue to bridge or cover a large region of the gap 9 in the transverse direction so that a penetration of tissue parts into the gaps may be continued to be prevented.

[0020] Even with a large distance of the spatulas 2 and 4 to one another the projections 10 and 12 may also bridge the lateral gap such that no tissue may penetrate into the intermediate space between the spatulas 2 and 4. The projections or tabs 10 and 12 at the same time however only cover very small lateral regions of the gap 9 arising between the spatulas 2 and 4 so that the lateral view is hardly restricted at all. The tabs 10, 12 which have been described here with the example of a gap 9 is correspondingly formed on the oppositely lying longitudinal gap 9 between the spatulas 2, 4, so that the working channel is protected on both sides from penetration of tissue,

List of Reference Numerals

[0021] 2,4 spatula 6 grip region 8 working channel 9 gap 10,12 projections 14 free space M middle plane X movement direction 

1. A spreading laryngbscope with two spatulas (2,4) able to be moved apart, wherein on at least one of the two spatulas (2, 4) on each longitudinal side there is in each case formed at least one projecting tab (10, 12) which, proceeding from the longitudinal side of the one spatula (2,4), extends to the other spatula (2, 4) and is rigidly connected to the spatula (2, 4).
 2. A spreading laryngoscope according to claim 1, with which on each of the two spatulas (2, 4) in each case on each longitudinal side of the spatula (2,4) there is formed at least one projecting tab (10, 12) which, proceeding from the longitudinal side of the one spatula (2, 4), extends to the other spatula (2, 4) and is rigidly connected to the spatula (2, 4):
 3. A spreading laryngoscope according to claim 2, with which the tabs (10, 12) formed on the two spatulas (2, 4) are arranged lying opposite one another in a manner such that one tab (10, 12) on the first spatula (2, 4) overlaps with a tab (10, 12) on the second spatula (2, 4) at least in a non-spread condition of the laryngoscope.
 4. A spreading laryngoscope according to one of the preceding claims, with which the tabs (10, 12) extend essentially normally to the main surfaces of the spatulas (2, 4).
 5. A spreading laryngoscope according to one of the preceding claims, with which on each longitudinal side of each of the two spatulas (2, 4) there are formed in each case two tabs (10, 12) which in the non-spread condition of the laryngoscope overlap with two oppositely lying tabs (10, 12) on the respective other spatula (2, 4).
 6. A spreading laryngoscope according to claim 5, with which the two tabs (10, 12) on each side of the spatula (2, 4) are distanced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the spatula (2, 4).
 7. A spreading laryngoscope according to one of the preceding claims, with which the tabs (10, 12) are designed such that in the spread condition of the laryngoscope they overlap in each case with one oppositely lying tab (10, 12) on the respective other spatula (2, 4) .
 8. A spreading laryngoscope according to one of the preceding claims, with which the tabs (10, 12) are formed as one piece with the respective associated spatula (2, 4). 